Method of identifying articles of manufacture and a blank for use in the same



Feb. 26, 1935. H M sHEDb I 'iled Feb. 9, 193 Sheets-Sheet l Fig T2 9 9 99 3 i 7 LET-TUNE 2292222 EIZFJZI 3 3 3 3 3 3 4 444 EIEIEIIQIQEQ 9 55 5 555 EIEIJQIQLEIEE @flggdglfll 77 9 74 327 77 gill-5311i, 999999 1991991 9 9 9 9 999 QQQEEEILQI @LQLQQ MA INVENTOR Harry M Shea a ATTORN EY Feb. 26, 1935. H M HEDD 1,992,779

ETHOD DENTIFYING ARTICLES MANUFACTURE LANK FOR USE IN H SAME iled Feb. 9, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig j ATTORN EY Patented Feb. 26, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE METHOD OF IDENTIFYING ARTICLES OF MANUFACTURE AND A BLANK FOR USE IN THE SAME My present invention relates to the numbering of articles of 'manufacture for purposes of identification. It is well known, for example, that every automobile carries a certain serial number which is applied thereto at the place of manufacture or assembly and recorded for future identification. Such numbers are ordinarily placed on an exposed metallic part, such as the motor block, or on a plate attached to the vehicle. In view of the large number of automobiles of each model sold by each manufacturer, such serial numbers have been found to be substantially the only reliable basis of identifying individual automobiles. For this reason statutes in most states require the accurate listing of such numbers in registering or transferring title to the automobile so identified. Such serial numbers are listed by motor vehicle bureaus and insurance companies and have been found to be of substantial assistance to the police and insurance companies in identifying and returning abandoned and stolen automobiles.

Since any attempt to register or transfer title to a stolen automobile is therefore not particularly difiicult to detect when no change in the serial number thereon is made, automobile thieves and receivers frequently change the serial number on the stolen automobile to facilitate future registration and sale of the same. After such alteration the original serial number is extremely difiicult to discover without the use of special laboratory processes and equipment. When the new number corresponds to that on an automobile of the same model known to the thief and the transfer of title is made in the {name of the recorded owner of that number, the true status of the stolen automobile may escape discovery for sufficient time to allow the thief todisappear.

One of the main objects of my invention is the provision of a method of marking articles of manufacture for identification which is characterized by the ease and rapidity with which it may be performed by relatively unskilled labor, and its adaptability for use in a serial numbering system. A further object is the provision of an identification blank especially adapted for use with my improved method and characterized by its low cost of manufacture and permanence of the identification mark applied thereon.

The various features of novelty which characterize my invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this specification. For a better understanding of the invention, its advantages and specific objects attained by its use, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which I have illustrated and described preferred embodiments of my invention.

Of the drawings:

Fig. 1 is an elevation of one form of numberindicating blank constructed in accordance with my invention;

Fig. 2 is a section on the line 22 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an elevation of a modified form of blank;

Fig.

Fig.

Fig.

Fig.

Fig.

Fig.

4 is a section on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3; 5 is an elevation of a third form of blank; 6 is a section on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5; 7 is an elevation of a fourth form of blank; 8 is a section on the line 8-8 of Fig. 7; 9 is an elevation of a fifth form of blank;

Fig. 10 is a section'on the line 10-10 of Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is an elevation of a sixth form of blank provided with blank marking or checking guide provisions and means adapted for use with a blank-checking gauge; and

Fig. 12 is a section on the line 12-12 of Fig. 11.

In accordance with my invention the article of manufacture to be numbered or otherwise identified is provided with an integrally or separately formed blank having a predetermined number of identification spaces or sections arranged in rows or columns corresponding in number to the number of symbols or positions in an identification mark to be indicated thereon. To permit the use of a standard form of blank for any one of a known series of different marks, the number of sections in each vertical row is preferably made to correspond with the number of different symbols which would appear in the corresponding position in the mark throughout the desired series. In such an arrangement, if the section in each row corresponding to the particular symbol in the corresponding position of the mark to be applied be marked or formed in such a manner that any attempt to alter or conceal the same would be readily apparent, the blank so marked or formed will serve as a reliable basis of identification of the article on which it appears.

' In the drawings are shown various forms of identification blanks constructed in accordance with my invention and suitable for use with a serial numbering system for metallic articles of manufacture. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the blank may be cast with the article indicated at 15 in a suitable position on an exposed surface thereof. The periphery of the blank is defined by a projecting flange 20 .with the included surface separated into larger and smaller divisions 21 and 22 respectively, by a horizontally extending flange 23. In the smaller division 22 the article number may be stamped or die cast in the usual manner by the use of corresponding dies. I have found that numbers applied on a metallic surface in this manner can be readily altered in such a way that the alteration cannot be readily detected by visual examination.

The larger or upper division is so constructed that'it may be used for indicating the article number in such a way that it will serve to indicate any alteration of the number appearing in the lower division. For this purpose, the included surface of the upper division may be considered to be divided into a predetermined number of sections or spaces arranged in horizontal and vertical rows. The number of vertical rows advantageously corresponds to the number of numerals or positions in the article number. The number of sections in each vertical row will correspond to the number of different numerals which will appear in the corresponding position in a predetermined series of article numbers. The article number is indicated in the upper division by permanently marking or forming in a readily noticeable manner the section in each vertical row corresponding to the numeral in the corresponding position in the article number. Since each vertical row will thus have only one such specially marked section, the presence of more than one such marked section therein will immediately indicate an alteration in the corresponding numeral of the article number in the lower division. For convenience in numbering I and checking the number, each section may car- For convenience, the sections are of similar size and the same numeral is used throughout each horizontal row of sections. and successive numerals ranging from zero to nine used in each vertical row.

The desired sections may be permanently marked in any suitable way. It is an advantageous feature of my invention that a single tool may be used for permanently'marking the sections. In Figs. 1 and 2, numerals 24 are integrally formed in corresponding sections in the upper division of the blank 'by being cast thereon. In accordance with my invention a single die may be used to cancel the proper numeral in each vertical row. For example, to indicate the .number shown in the lower division of the blank in 'Fig. 1, the numeral 1 is cancelled in the vertical row at the extreme left, as indicated at 25, the numeral seven in the adjacent vertical row,

as indicated at 26, etc. The cancelling die makes a deep impression in the blank and practically obliterates the numeral. Any change in a numeral or numerals in the numeral or numerals in the lower divison 22 would necessitate restoring the corresponding cancelled numerals in the upper division 21 totheir original form, which the face of the integrally formed blank is suitably machined toform horizontal and vertical rows of bosses 2'7, into the milled outer surface of which is stamped or die cast corresponding numerals. Any attempt to remove the mark of the cancellation by milling the same and restamping the numeral thereon-would cause a readily noticeable change in the depth of that boss.

Any of the identification blanks described may be separately formed and attached to the article of manufacture in a suitable manner, as by screws 28 passing through side projections 29, as indicated in Figs. 5 and 6. The integral formation of the blank however is deemed preferable.

In the particular form of blank shown in Figs. 5 and 6, each section is recessed as indicated at 30 in forming the blank and the corresponding numeral stamped therein. With this form of blank, elimination of the numeral cancellation by machining is impractical because of the difliculty of access thereto with a suitable tool and furthermore such alteration would be readily apparent.

In the forms of blank shown in Figs. 7-10, both the bosses and numerals carried thereon are integrally formed with the blank-during the casting of the article to be numbered. Any subsequent attempt to alter the cancellation by machining the boss or bosses having cancelled numbers will be readily apparent by the sharp contrast between the machined and adjacent cast surfaces. In Figs. 7 and 8, the numerals 33 are raised above the surface of the bosses 32, While in-the form of blank shown in Figs. 9 and 10 the numerals 34 are below the surface of the bosses As indicated in Fig. 11, horizontal and vertical rows of numerals 40 alongside the boundaries of the blank may be formed on the article to fa-,

cilitate marking of the desired sections of the blank by a mechanic or identification ofa particular section of the blank by an inspector. Such guide numerals are particularly useful where, as shown, no numerals appear on the blank sections. 7

In Figs. 11 and 12, the. blank form shown is similar tothat of Figs. 3 and-4 except for the absence of numerals, and is preferably made with the bosses milled to a uniform depth. Any

subsequent machining to remove cancellation marks can thus be accurately determined by passing a suitable straight edge gauge across the surface of the blank; Tofacilitate the use of such a gauge, a socket 42, preferably of a predetermined depth and with its outer end termi- 'nating in the same plane as the exposed surface A special straight edge gauge 43 adapted to fit the socket 42 may then be swung across the surface of the blank and, any alterations therein quickly'noted.

While in accordance with the provisions of the statutes I have illustrated and described herein the best. embodiments of my invention now known to me, those skilled in the art will understand that changes may be made in the form of the blank and method disclosed without departing from the spirit of the invention covered by my claims, and that certain features of my invention may sometimes be used to advantage without a corresponding use of other features.

I- claim:

1. An identification blank for an article of manufacture having rows of separate bosses of equal heights and having unobstructed spaces therebetween, each boss carrying a defaceable numeral, said rows corresponding in number at least to the number of numerals in a number to be given said article, and each of said rows including at least suflicient bosses to carry all of the numerals which would appear in the corresponding position of numbers within a predetermined range.

2. An identification blank for an article of manufacture having rows of bosses with defaceable surfaces arranged in the same plane and carrying numerals, said rows corresponding in number to the number of numerals in a number to be given said article, all of the numerals in each row being different, a socket adjacent said rows for receiving a gauge movable across said boss surfaces, and the outer end of said socket terminating in the plane of said bosses.

3. A metallic article having identification means thereon comprising a series of bosses having deface'able 'outer surfaces arranged in the same plane and having identification marks thereon, and means forming a pivot for a straight-edged gauge swingable across the outer surfaces of said bosses;

4. A metallic article having identification means thereon comprising a series of bosses having defaceable outer surfaces arranged in the same plane, and means forming a socket on said article for a straight-edged gauge swingable across the outersurfaces of said bosses, the outer end of said socket terminating in the plane of said bosses.

5. A metallic article having identification means thereon comprising a plurality of rows of integral bosses having defaceable outer surfaces arranged in the same plane with unobstructed spaces therebetween, and each of said bosses having an identification symbol on said outer surface.

6. A metallic article having identification means thereon comprising a plurality of rows of integral bosses having defaceable outer surfaces arranged in the same plane with unobstructed spaces therebetween, said rows corresponding in number at least to the number of numerals in a number to be given said article, each of said rows including at least sumcient bosses to carry all of the numerals which would appear in the cor- ,responding position of numbers within a prenumeral indicated on said outer surface.

8. The method of marking a metallic article for identification which comprisesforming rows of separate bosses on an exposed surface of the article, machining the outer surfaces of the bosses to a uniform height, and permanently defacing the outer surface of one of the bosses in each row. v v

9. The method of marking a metallic article for identification which comprises forming rows of separate bosses on an exposed surface of the article, machining the outer surfaces of the bosses to a uniform height, providing a plurality of series of identification marks on said outer surfaces, and permanently defacing the identification mark on one of the bosses in each row.

HARRY M. SHEDD. 

